Intuitive Eating Scale (21-Item)
Permission to use this measure is not required. However, I do request that you notify me via email if
you use the Intuitive Eating Scale in your research.
Directions for participants: For each item, please circle the answer that best characterizes your
attitudes or behaviors.
1. I try to avoid certain foods high in fat, carbohydrates, or calories.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
2. I stop eating when I feel full (not overstuffed).
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
3. I find myself eating when I’m feeling emotional (e.g., anxious, depressed, sad), even when
I’m not physically hungry.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
4. If I am craving a certain food, I allow myself to have it.
1
2
3
4
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
5. I follow eating rules or dieting plans that dictate what, when, and/or how much to eat.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
6. I find myself eating when I am bored, even when I’m not physically hungry.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
7. I can tell when I’m slightly full.
1
2
Strongly Disagree Disagree
3
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
8. I can tell when I’m slightly hungry.
1
2
Strongly Disagree Disagree
3
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
9. I get mad at myself for eating something unhealthy.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
10. I find myself eating when I am lonely, even when I’m not physically hungry.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
11. I trust my body to tell me when to eat.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
12. I trust my body to tell me what to eat.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
13. I trust my body to tell me how much to eat.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree
Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
14. I have forbidden foods that I don’t allow myself to eat.
1
2
3
4
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
15. When I’m eating, I can tell when I am getting full.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
16. I use food to help me soothe my negative emotions.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
17. I find myself eating when I am stressed out, even when I’m not physically hungry.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
18. I feel guilty if I eat a certain food that is high in calories, fat, or carbohydrates.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
19. I think of a certain food as “good” or “bad” depending on its nutritional content.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
20. I don’t trust myself around fattening foods.
1
2
3
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
4
Agree
5
Strongly Agree
21. I don’t keep certain foods in my house/apartment because I think that I may lose
control and eat them.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly Disagree Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly Agree
Scoring Procedure:
Total Score: Reverse score Items 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21; add these
reverse scored items with Items 2, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15; divide this summed total by
21.
Unconditional Permission to Eat subscale: Reverse score Items 1, 5, 9, 14, 18, 19, 20, and 21;
add these reverse scored items with Item 4; divide this summed total by 9.
Eating for Physical Rather than Emotional Reasons subscale: Reverse score Items 3, 6, 10,
16, and 17; add these reverse scored items with Item 2; divide this summed total by 6.
Reliance on Internal Hunger/Satiety Cues subscale: Add together Items 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and
15; divide this summed total by 6.
Note.
Item 1 was Item 1 referenced in the article.
Item 2 was Item 2 referenced in the article.
Item 3 was Item 3 referenced in the article.
Item 4 was Item 4 referenced in the article.
Item 5 was Item 5 referenced in the article.
Item 6 was Item 8 referenced in the article.
Item 7 was Item 11 referenced in the article.
Item 8 was Item 12 referenced in the article.
Item 9 was Item 14 referenced in the article.
Item 10 was Item 15 referenced in the article.
Item 11 was Item 16 referenced in the article.
Item 12 was Item 17 referenced in the article.
Item 13 was Item 18 referenced in the article.
Item 14 was Item 19 referenced in the article.
Item 15 was Item 20 referenced in the article.
Item 16 was Item 21 referenced in the article.
Item 17 was Item 22 referenced in the article.
Item 18 was Item 23 referenced in the article.
Item 19 was Item 25 referenced in the article.
Item 20 was Item 26 referenced in the article.
Item 21 was Item 27 referenced in the article.